My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

minutes and took a seat

received many gasps and

Dane and Zayd exchanging looks the whole time I was talking, making me feel as if they

asked, looking back and forth between the two

that

squeezed my

eyebrows as I

little too friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he said he

are to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not only

to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone can even bring an Alpha to his knees, yet he couldn’t stop his

him," I

heads at me, "I wish that I could believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on

that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that would make me feel

think Apollo is a part of Devin’s

looked at Zayd this time

of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but we don’t think

Zayd told me gently.

at the thought of being betrayed by my father, the father lam just starting to get to

could get in of his

about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back

a resounding, "Yes

dad calls, you

as he sat down next to me.I was now sitting on the couch feeding

I replied, not really in the mood for conversation

some phone calls to make.Do you want to stay home today,

the packhouse." I smiled at

want you out walking around by yourself, especially if you

at

next move would be? We walked together to the packhouse, stopping

me to the office next door to

large books in front of them

"Any luck?"

I sat Kyra down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and

looked at me shaking their heads, "Not

Adria replied.

be read often.I carefully flipped through the

this one that it is rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go

she rose from her

get Blaze and I will be back

through the door, "Any luck?" he asked as he picked

currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet dear.Where

he would

the wall above the door, surprised to

explain Kyra’s

girl isn’t about to miss a meal, I thought to

headed downstairs together, meeting up with everyone

her highchair between her and

that has happened and is still happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since

our conversations are focused mainly on Kyra and how she has been

think it

there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back to Kyra or give me very vague

murmured

we should talk

worry,

head, but I couldn't help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well enough to say

my stomach felt like it was twisted into a thousand knots.I didn’t want to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he

Adria took the kids to her house so they could take a nap while

this," I stated

up in surprise

in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any sense now to be able to do this on his own, but Apollo is.What if Devin is nothing more than a foot soldier, so to speak? I know y'all already thought Apollo had

was engulfed in silence once I

stopped pacing the office

because I agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t say.I think that Devin is cleverer than you think.We definitely shouldn't underestimate him." Ash spoke

head as I thought

did the phone

I looked at Zayd.

lunch, and I am assuming or hoping, it was with

was planning to come and speak with us.He wouldn’t say anything else other than he would be

a little, "Why not talk on

me, "Vampires are very private,

as he led me to sit down, "And your pacing

with a sigh, wishing none of this was

Ash and Colby, Dane looked at Zayd, "I spoke

nodded his head for Dane to continue, "I explained everything that was going on.He’s one of the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about

then again, there aren't too

sure why he felt he needed to

does he want to do

has good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and,

loyalty wasn’t with Apollo, but with

been willing to

will have Adria call

chair, "remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We don’t need

the office,